An inventory of
his papers
at Syracuse University

Papers of the American historian, novelist, president of the Schenectady
County Historical Society (1884-1963). Correspondence, research,
book manuscripts, book reviews, lectures, clippings, and photographs of
New York State landmarks.

John J. Vrooman (1882-1960) was an American historian and novelist, and president
of
the Schenectady County Historical Society. Born in Schenectady, New York, he graduated
from the University of Arizona, attended Union College, and received an honorary
PhD from
Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York.

Vrooman held a variety of jobs across the
country, including ranch management in Iowa, an investment business in Missouri
and a
real estate business in Mississippi. He eventually returned to Schenectady and
in 1944
accepted the position of Supervisor of Historic Sites for the New York State Education
Department, a job he held until 1951. After his retirement, Vrooman lectured in
various
venues (including the New-York Historical Society) about historic New York State,
and
remained active in historic studies until his death.

Vrooman wrote several works of historical fiction and non-fiction about upstate New
York, including Council Fire and Cannon , a collection of
stories about early New York; The Promised Land, concerning
the Palatines who settled in the Schoharie valley; and Clarissa
Putman of Tribes Hill, a historical novel. An accomplished amateur photographer,
his pictures of historic sites illustrate many of his books, and were also used
to
illustrate material produced for the New York State Education Department.